(a) It shall be unlawful and is prohibited for any person other than the director of parks and open space or duly authorized agent or deputy to cut, trim, prune, spray, brace, plant, move or replace any tree in any public street or other public place within the City or to cause such to be done, unless and until written permit to do so shall have first been obtained from the director. Any such permit may be declared void by the director if its terms are violated. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to apply to the removal, under the direction of the public works department, of any root, tree, shrub or plant or parts thereof when such removal shall be necessary for the construction of any sidewalks, sewer or public improvement, after having first notified the director of parks and open space.

(b) In the event that a tree or shrub on city property or in a city right-of-way is unlawfully removed, damaged, or otherwise destroyed by any person, that person shall be liable to the city for the appraised value of the tree or shrub based upon International Society of Arboriculture Appraisal Standards. All monies received in restitution for damage to a public tree shall be deposited into the forestry restitution fund. (Code 1979, § 29-39; Ord. No. 2009-22, § 2, 6-8-2009; Ord. No. 95-53, exhibit A (§ 29-39), 9-11-1995)